Method and apparatus for treating fresh fruit



Aug. 30, 1927. 1,641,112.

E. M. BROGDEN METHOD APPARATUS FOR TREATINGFRESH FRUIT Filed May l5, 1922 R i, I l B N! n gf ZJ/ragdflg Patented Aug.' 30, 19,27. i l

= UNITED STATES..

ERNEST IMI. BROGDEN, F WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA, ASSIGNOR TO :BBQGDEX COI#- PATEN'I oFFlcE.

PANY, oF WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA, A coRPoRA'IIoNoF FLORIDA.

.METHOD AND APPARATUS OR ITREATING FRESHl FRUIT.

Appnauon mea my Isisaa serial no. 561,209..

Thisinvention relates to lmethods of and apparatus for treat-ing freshfruits;` and it has todo more particularly with the preservative coating of fresh fruit and. the

like with waxy or other suitable material to maintaln the fruit in fresh, plump condi-4 tion and to protect it' against -infection by mold or rot organisms 'as 4wellvas to attain other desirable results, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The invention is especially useful in treating fresh fruitsuch as oranges, grapefruit, ,tangerines, lemons, apples, andl the like; but it ma also be extended to the treatment of c ucum ers, tomatoes, -cantaloupe, or other vegetable products that can' rofitably be treated to keep them from wit ering, from losing flavor and freshness,'and from becoming infected. The term fruit asl used herein istherefore to. be understoodin a suiiiciently broad sense to include such vegei DJ table products as well as fruitsproper..

- An important 'feature ofthe invention is -the application of a normally solid preservative .material to fruit by spraying it, and more particularl by atomizing or nebulizing it'in liquid o rm in =such manner as to subdivide said material so finely that it' forms a mister fog which, upon contact with the fruit, deposits u on the latter excedinglyffine particles o tha-material to form a thin coating. This coating can be furthertreated in various ways to perfect the same, and such further treatment-,affords r important practical advantages in many instances. y

In general, the preservatlve material or l composition emplo e'd must bein' liquid',- or at least in reasona ly fluid, condition at the time of use in order that itmay be, atomized' or nebulized effectively.

In carrying out invention4 in practice ordinary parailin or parailin" wax of goed commercial rade melting at, around l122 F. or slightly igher 'has been found to be a highly eicient and convenient 'preservative material to employ. Inexplaining the rinciples of the invention'hereinafter; t erefore, the use .of "arain willfbe more particularly referre -t. for". the -sake of a concrete example without, howevengintending thereby to restrict the scope'of the invention to the useof paratlin' only'fo thepurposes in view. In the specificexaniple to be ereinafter given, it also beassumed'that'-- properly fluent molten condition by the a plie-ation ofheat, and while in this con ition is atomized or nebulized with the aid of compressed air in. such manner as to form a' fine mist or fog which is made to contact -with the fruit to be treated under proper conditions and environment to produce thereon a thin protective coating of parain. The fruit' is also subjected to the rubbing and polishing action of suitable rubbing mechanism such, for example, as the wel known .revolving brush-roll `polisher a aratus commonly used in the fruit `pac ng industry; aand this rubbing or polishing action on the. fruit maybe effected" simultaneously with the application of the .paraflnA coating thereto,.or it may be effectedas a subsequent step afterV the parain coating has been so applied. In either case, v.the

`- treatment accorded the fruitz-in v conformity with the princlples of the'invention com-4 prises effecting contact of a very ne. spra mist or fogof paraffin with'fruit and 511g-, jecting the fruit to a rubbing or `olishing action to spread the paraiiin deposlt as uniformly as possible all over the Surface of f' the fruit. l

A mist or fog of parain best suited for the practice of the mvention'can-be most convenientl produced by means of an' atomizing or ne u lizing'apparatus in whlch the molten parain, maintained at about say'150 F., is acted uponby compressed air at any Apressure suitable to properly atomlze or nebulize the same. In some cases the air may be used advantageously'at a pressure of say 125 to 150 pounds per squaremeh. Various specific typestof ap aratus suitable v for. this purpose, amon Mw ich is the socalled air-brush, are `o tainable commer-'f chilly-,and the practice of the invention is not limited to any specific construction there- 'I of, although atypical constructlon that can be used'to advantage is hereinafter described in any suitable manner and maintained in by way of a concrete example. The mist or fog produced by the use of a compressed gas is readily distinguishable in character and effect from a mere spray produced by pum ing the liquid protective material directy through a rose or spray-head, and affords decidedly greater advantages.

It is desirable to bring about contact of the paratlin mist or fog with the fruit in a warm environment, most desirably at a temperature higher or not materially lower than the melting point of the paraftin employed. This condition is desirable to observe in order to Jfavor deposit ot 'the paiatlin on the fruit in the l'orm ot a continuous thin filmlike coating. By thus ell'ecting the contact of the mist or fog with the fruit in a heated environment, not only is congelation or so lidiication ot the tine parain particles ot the mist or tog prevented bet'orc they strike the surface of the fruit, but the surface of the fruit itseli.E is warmed appreeiably and hence, if there is any tendency for the parafiin particles to congeal or solidify when they strike the fruit surface, this tendency is very much less than it would be in an unheated environment, and the thin coating of parailin deposited on the fruit remains in any case sulliciently sott and fluent in the heated environment .to render it spreadable by polisher brushes or otherwise. It is not to be understood, however, that tbe invention is limited in its broader aspects tothe employment oit a heated environment in this connection; t'or while t-his is desirable, it is nevertheless possible to contact the parailin mist or fog with the fruit under ordinary atmospheric temperature conditions and still obtain a paraflin coating that enables the benefits of the invention to be realized to at least some extent, especially where the misting of the fruit on the parailin is accompanied either simultaneously or subsequently y proper treatment of the fruit with the aid of eilicient polisher or brushing apparatus. j

In order to ai'ord a full understanding of the principles of the invention, as regards both process and apparatus, a specific example Will now be given illustrating one way in which the novel process may be practiced in treating citrus fruit with the aid of a desirable form of novel apparatus also embodying the principles of the invention. The apparatus referred to is shown more or less diagrammatically in the accompanyn ing drawings, in which Y Fig. l is a side view in elevation, partly in central longitudinal section, and

Fig. 2 is a plan view, also part-ly in section.

Referring to the drawings, the particular form of apparatus therein shown for the purposes of illustration comprises atomizer or nebulizer apparatus indicated generally coating unit 11 is spaced away sli means 12 to which fruit is delivered from Y the unit 11. j

The atomizer or nebulizer unit 10 comprises in this instance a container or receptacle 13 for molten paralin, said container having a tilliner or supply tube 13 and being surrounde( by a steam or hot water jacket 14, which is provided with Aa valved inlet 15 for admission of the heating fluid into the heating acket and a valved outlet 16. The paraflin container 13 is provided with a tapered discharge nozzle 17, the nozzle opening being controlled by a needle or cone valve 18 carried by a valve stem 19, which latter consists of a small bore tube slidably and rotatably guided and supported near the valve 18 in a bearing 20 carried by the supporting spider 21.` The valve rod 19 extends through the opposite end wall of the jacket 14, the rod being provided with an exteriorly threaded enlargen'lent 22 working in a threaded stationary bushing 23 in the wall of the heating jacket. By means ot' a suitable controlling handle 24, which is fast with the sleeve 22 and rod 19, the position of the valve 1S may be adjusted to entirely close the nozzle outlet ot the container 13 or to maintain any desired size of outlet lor discharge of molten paralfin therefrom. Through a valved supply pipe 25, compressed airat any desired pressure may be supplied to tube 19 to providea jet of air which, acting like an injector, atomizes molten paralin that flows out through the nozzle end of container 13.

The mist or fog of parafiin obtainable by proper operation of the atomizer or nebu lizer 10 is directed into t-he upper end of a slightly inclined elongated chamber or enclosed runway 26, which is heated by a steam jacket or the like 27, said acket being provided with valved inlet 28 and valved outlet 29 for the heating medium. "The fruit to be treated is also introduced in any suitable manner into the upper end of the elongated :chamber or-runway 26. In the particular arrangement here shown, the Y Uhtly from the discharge nozzle ol the nebulizer 10 to permit convenient introduction of the fruit to be treated into the upper end of the chamber 26. As heregshown, the fruit to be treated is carried by a transversely extending conveyor belt 30 into the space between the nebulizer unit v1() and the apparatus unit 11. At 31 is a stationary delector member arranged at such an angle in the path of the advancing fruit that the fruit is shunted oit the conveyor belt and into the upper end of the chamber 2G, whereupon it progresses toward the lower end of the inclined chamber at a speed depending upon 13 i the inclination thereof. The spacebetween the apparatus units I and 11 is suitably enclosed to prevent substantial escape of the arain mist or fog, that art of the closure indicated at 32 in the pat of the advancing fruit consisting in this instance of a suspended flexible curtain or flap of canvas or Ithe like which yields to permit the successive pieces of fruit tobe carried into,l the' aforesaid space by the conveyor belt. As the fruit moves toward the lower end of the chamber 26, it rolls over and over and its entire surface is exposed to contact with thc paratiin mist or fog so that a thin film coat"- ing of paraffin is produced on the fruit. The temperature in thischamb'er should be maintained as Warm as is' safe, having in view the sensitiveness of the fruit to heat, the length of time of travel through the chamber and the otherlessentialfactors involved in the operation. In general, the length of the chamber, the temperature maintained therein, and the other conditions mentioned, should besuch as not to produce any substantial increase in the temperature of the main mass or body of the fruit; but a superficial or surface warming of the fruit is not objectionable and is even vadvantageous, as before inted out, as tending to prevent too rapi or complete solidification of the parain coating. A temperature of around 150 F. in the chamber 26 isusually suitable. 'Ihe fruit makes its exit from the lower end of chamber 26 by pushing aside the depending flap 33 of canvas or the like guarding the chamber exit, and then rolls down u on the horse-hair polisher brushes i 34 whic may be of the usual long cylindrical type revolubly mounted inparallel to coo rate in pairs to provide one or more fruit runways, the rolls being slightly inclined from the horizontal so that the fruit moves down the runway or runways gradually and is delivered from the lower end During its passage down 4the runway or runways. provided by the polisher rolls 34,

the fruit 1s turned over and over by the revolving brushes so tha-tit rotates` rapidly on ditl'erent axes and is subjectedt to a thorough rubbingy and brushing action that serves to spread the lparallin coating over the fruit and render the coating mo're'uniform` in thickness. If desired, the polisher rolls may be enclosed in a suitable housing or other covering means indicated conventionally at 35; and steam coils 36er other ap propriate heating means may be provided to warm the atmosphere around saidnrolls to an extent suiicient to maintain the Iparaflinlcoating on the fruit softor even sub'- being spread in a thin film l over the fruit.

means just below the polisher rolls, as here illustrated. Where the polisher rolls are housed as here indicated, the fruit is def 'livered from the lower end of the rolls through one or more suitable a' ertures in the housing, each guarded by a exible flap 37, similar to flap 33. It is to be noted that the paratiin mist or fog produced in the manner described is rather persistent in character, .with the result that a substantial 'portion thereof asses clear .through unit 11 and into the po isher' housing 35, the fruit been subject-ed to other cleansing treatment not involvingthe use of watervat all. In any case, the preservative paraflin coating alpplied to the fruit in accordance with t e principles of the invention as exemplified in the foregoing specific example, has the effect of enhancing the keeping qualities of the fruit by precluding infection lfrom the exterior, and it prevents or substantially reduces withering and shrinkage, thus permitting shipment of the treated Yfruit and receipt thereof in distributin markets in firm, plump condition and wit substantially unimpaired flavor and freshness.

It will be observed fromthe `foregoing descri tion that, in general, the novel proccers o the invention in the specific illustrative embodiment described herein, involves exposing fruit to contact with atomized or ,ncbulized paraffin or other suitable reservative materia-l ,and thoroughly ru bing or polishing the fruit so exposed; also that t e novel apparatus of the invention involves essentially some kind of atomiz'ing or nebulizv ing means in operative association with rubbig or polishing means. In the particular embodiments of the novel process and apparatus herein selected to illustrate the prn- Vciples underlying the invention, the initial contact ofthe fruit with the parain mist or fog occurs before the .fruit is delivered' to theY brushing rolls; but it is to be understood that such initial contact may, within the scope of the .broad invention, occur when the fruit is on the brushing rolls. In such `case the apparatus unit-1l may be omitted and the atomizer or .nebulizer arranged to discharge directly uponv the rolls 34 of the, 4 V y polisher 12, which rolls ma bevenelosed in a stantially liquid and thus facilitate its suitable housing and also cated, as hereinabove,pointed out.A f What I claim is:

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toainistof 1. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises subjecting fresh fruitto the action of revolving polislier brush rolls coo erating to provide a runway along which the fruit 'is caused to travel, While atomizing a fluid protective material in operative proximity to said fruit and brush rolls to effect` contact of said material therewith.

2. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises subjecting fresh fruit to the action of revolving polisher brush rolls cooperating to provide a runway along which the fruit is causrd to travel, while atomizing paraliin in fluid condition in operative proximity to said fruit and brush rolls to eifect contact of `said material tliereivith.

3. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises producing a mist Orfogl of a preservative material containing paraffin, moving the fruit in contact with said mist or fog, and rubbing the fruit.

4. The process of treating fresh frui which comprises atomizing paraffin in fini condition to iroduce a mist or fog in contact with the fruit, and rubbing the fruit while the paralin is still soft.

5. The process \of treating fresh fruit which comprises spraying substantially pure molten waxy material upon fruit, and rubbing the fruit.

6..The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises spraying substantially pui'e molten paraffin upon the fruit, and rubbing the fruit while the paraflin is still soft.

7. The process of treating vfresh fruit which comprises ex osing the same to contact with atoinize preservative material while rubbing the fruit.

8. The process of treating fresh fruit ywhich comprises subjecting the same to the action of revolving brush rolls while exposed paraffin.

9. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises exposing fruit to contact with a inist of paratlin-containing material, While turning said fruit rapidly over and over and rubbingthe same.

10. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises (applying paraffin-containing material in warm fluent condition to fresh fruit, and distributing it over the fruit by thoroughly `rubbing while said material is still Warm.

11. The` process of treating fresh fruit which comprises applying to fresh fruit substantially pure paratiin in heated condition and rubbing the fruit thoroughly to spread the paraffin thereover in a thin film.

12. Ap aratus for treating fruit orlthe like whicli comprises the combination, with mechanism for rubbing or brushing fruit and for automatically discharging the same after actino' upon it, of means arranged to deliver fruit to said mechanism, and means for atomizing or nebulizing protective material into contact with said fruit as it passes through the apparatus and before it is discharged from said mechanism.

13.' Apparatus for treting fruit or the like. which comprises the combination, with vrevolnble brush-roll mechanism, of means for atomizing or nebulizing protective material into Contact with fruit being,r treated by said mechanism,'said means including a receptacle for liquid protective material, provision for heating said receptacle, and a coinprcssed air nozzle device supplied with liquid material from said receptacle.

14. Apparatus for treating' fruit or theV like givhic i comprises the combination, with inclined fruit-polisher rolls, of a spray device operatively adjacent said polisher rolls and arranged to discharge in operative proximity to same, said device including a container for moltenl paratlin or the like, means for heating. said container, and compressed air means forspraying the molten parain.

15. Apparatus for treatingr fruit or the` runway, a device arranged t0 directa spray 19. The process of enhancing the appear-l ance and keeping qualities of fruit comprising coating the surface of the fruit with a melted waxy material, and then subjecting evenly thereon.V

20. The method of preserving fruit which consists in passing the same through a relatively closed heated chamber, applying to the surface of the fruit While passing therethrough a coating of heated liquid preservative, subjecting the fruit immediately after theA application ofthe preservative coating the fruit to friction to spread the material while in a thereto to the action'of polishing elements forthe distributing of the preservative over the surface thereof and the polishing of the surface of the fruit'. Y

21. The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises spraying fluid waxy ma` terial upon the fruit, and rubbing the fruit heated environment to spread the material uniformly thereover.

22. vThe method of preserving fruitwhich consists `in conveying the same through a chamber maintained at a temperature suiiciently high to soften paraffin, depositing molten paralin on the surface of the fruit While the fruit ispassing through said chamber, and subjecting the fruit to a. brushing action before discharging .itwfrom the .Y charging the same therefrom chamber.

23. The' method of preserving fruit which consists in passing the same through a relatively closed chamber and, prior to disand during its passage therethrough, applying to its surface a coating of liquid parailin and Subjecting the coated fruit to a polishing action to polish the surface, all of said operations taking place while the interior of said chamber is maintained at a temperature suliiciently high to` melt the parafln. A

24. AThe method of preserving fruit, which vconsists in' applying to the surface thereof paraflin and lrub ing the fruit to spread the paraiin thereover in a film coating, while the surface of the fruitis maintained at a temperature above atmospheric.

25. -The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises producing -a spray of a preservative material containing paraffin, and moving the fruitin contact with said s ray while at the Sametime rubbing the fruit.

26. The process ,of treating fresh fruit which comprises exposing the same to conL tact with a spray of-preservative material p while rubbingthe fruit.'

27. The .process of treating fresh* fruit which comprises exposing` fruit to .contact brush roll with a spray of paraliin-co'ntaininfg material, whlle turning said fruit over an over and rubbing the same.

28. .The process of treating fresh fruit which comprises applying to fresh fruit sub-A stantiall pure paraiiin in heated condition, while ru bing the fruit thoroughly to spread 30. Apparatus for treating fruit or the which comprises the combination, with like revoluble brushrolls providing a fruit run- Way,`of a spray device, including a container for liquid material and compressed air means f'or spraying said material, arranged operatively adjacent said rolls,

and heating means subadjacent said' rolls.

31. Apparatus for treating fruit comprising rubbing means that provides a runway for fruit, in combination with means for supplying fluid coating material, and compressed-air s ray means .supplied therefrom and mounte to direct spray upon said runway.

32. Apparatus for treating fruit comprising rotary brush roll mechanismproviding e a ,fruit runway that extends parallel to the axis, and an air-brush device mounted operatively adjacent said runway toldirect a fruit passing along said runway.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aliix my signature. y

ERNEST M. BROGDEN.

spray OfliqUid-material upon` 

